Another old woman from Dhodeni itself, Chandra Kumari Ghale, also narrated similar health problems with the doctor. She had additional aliment to complain of - mouth ulcer. "It's been six, seven months, since I've been drinking only lukewarm water and jaulo (soft rice and pulse, mostly eaten during illness). I have tried to cure it through local herbs but that didn't work," she informed the doctor.
Had there been hospitals nearby and treatment offered for free, Maitkashi and Chandrakumari would not wait this long to see doctor. Lack of awareness and that of resources have visibly taken toll on their health. However, they take it easily as 'poor people have no choice'. "What to do, we cannot afford to go to big hospitals in cities. We have no money," said Maitkashi. "But here doctors see us without charging fees," she said sounding grateful.
Narbir Ghale of Ghepagaun, Dhodeni also believes that it's natural for poor not to have access to health care. Narbir who is suffering from muscle ache among other health issues since years also told that he was attracted to the health camp just because it was for free and 'good doctors were coming'. "We have no big hospital in village. Going to cities for health treatment is beyond our capacity," he said.
The health camp organized by Pashupati Prasad Battalion of the Nepal Army based in Besishahar municipality was attended by 200 elderly people, 100 adults and 57 children from several villages of Lamjung. According to Bir Bahadur Ghale, 80, attending such health camp is a matter of pleasure for many like him who would otherwise never been able to get to see doctor. "My tooth was aching so badly. They removed it, now I'm feeling so relieved," said the local of Dhodeni. "They also cured my other problems. There was difficulty in walking due to leg pain; such pain could be felt throughout the veins. They checked me without taking any fees and the medicine they provided has relieved some of the pain," he said elatedly.
Kalbahadur Kami, 70, from Taje village stated that he walked over four hours along with his grandson to get health check up in the camp. He added that his grandson, Bikash, has bowl movement once in 3 / 4 days. "He goes for long toilet once in 3 / 4 days. It seems like a serious problem to me. However, we couldn't take him to doctor due to lack of money. This is an opportunity to show him and myself to doctor" Kami said.
Kami cannot walk around easily due to swollen feet, an ailment that he has been living for many years now. "But I'm used to living like that. I came here because the treatment is free and who knows if they could help me also in getting relief from the ailment," he said.
Seventy - two - year old Purne Gurung who walked three hours to get to the spot was also quite happy about it. "The doctor has suggested me to eat, sleep and take medicine on time. They have also told me to take rest. All that would make me feel better, they say," he said, laughing. "I am very hopeful that I'll be fit once I follow the tips."
Kami, local of Simigaun does not have severe illness. However, he feels dizzy cannot walk around for long due to muscle pain, he said.
"The people are naïve. They do not know even little of health care. Unhygienic habits, lack of basic health care or awareness is the root cause of their problem," said a doctor in the camp Sudip Raj KC. "Even small problem mounts over time when we are not careful. This has happened with most of the elderly people and others here. On one hand, these people can hardly afford to go to doctors and on the other hand, they do not take the matter seriously until it grows severe," he commented.
Eighteen doctors and 25 health workers from Bharatpur college of Medical Science had attended the patients during the one day health camp. The needy were also provided with medicines right on the spot. The health care team included gynecologists, dentists, eye doctors, surgeons and child health experts, among others.
The health camp which was organized in Kirtipur of Dhodeni village is four hours journey in vehicle from Besishahar, the district headquarters. Dozens of visitors in the camp stated that they walked up to four hours for health checkup at the camp. Noticeably, even those who had serious health complications said that they would never have reached out to doctor if that was not for free.
Deputy Director of the Medical College, Rajesh Yadav said that the collage worked in coordination with the army for the welfare of the people from remote village. "The free service was for those who could not afford it," he said.
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Free health camp benefits people from five districts
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